Hostile Work Environment Confirmed by City Officials, Regardless of Who Dropped or Slammed a Chair
I write this release in response to a request for clarification from Kathy Laird at Crawford County Now regarding the July 18 altercation involving Council President Kurt Fankhauser and Council Clerk Miranda Wise. Ms. Laird stated:
"Upon reviewing the video, it appears that the events you outlined did not take place. There is no evidence of chair throwing or yelling, and the interactions seem to reflect routine employee/supervisor communication."
For those unfamiliar, on July 18, Ms. Wise was confronted in her office by Mr. Fankhauser—continuing a pattern of shifting expectations, public targeting, and denial of lawful leave, despite her professional performance. My original statement was based entirely on firsthand accounts and conversations I had that same day.
Within an hour of the incident, I was informed of the altercation that occurred at City Hall. It was the first of two recent altercations between Mr. Fankhauser and female staff. When I arrived, Ms. Wise was visibly shaken—her cheeks flushed, her speech disrupted. Councilwoman Vicki Dishon had already checked in on her but had to leave. I remained with Miranda as she decompressed. During our conversation, she said, "he slammed the chair," which I reasonably understood to refer to Mr. Fankhauser. I issued my original statement in good faith, based on her account and emotional condition. This is the first point on which I disagree with Ms. Laird's request for correction, as she states that I wrote "throwing" a chair, a word I never used in my release. I reiterated the wording used by Ms. Wise, which was "slamming" the chair.
Days later, multiple individuals in the Auditor's office confirmed they had heard yelling and the sound of a chair striking the floor. Ms. Laird, having reviewed video footage that lacks audio, claims the footage shows Mayor Truka dropping/tripping/moving the chair. I still have not received access to that footage. My request was denied by the Law Director, who cited the CLEIRs exemption due to an open investigation into Mr. Fankhauser. Yet that footage was provided to Crawford County Now.
Ms. Laird claims there is "no evidence" of yelling. I also find that conclusion questionable, given that the video contains no audio and firsthand witness accounts directly contradict her interpretation, as well as previous footage released from this camera, which shows that facial expressions are complex to interpret due to the overhead angle of the footage.
Ms. Wise did not speak publicly about the incident—not because it didn't happen, but because I believe she feared retaliation. That fear proved valid. Mr. Fankhauser later attempted to remove her timesheet from City Hall and the Auditor's office. A second verbal altercation ensued—this time targeting Auditor Kali Lewis, who then issued her correspondence. Notably, Crawford County Now was neither given this email nor did they publish it. Insight that would have provided context for Mr. Fankhauser's retaliatory lawsuit over a payroll dispute he created through his inaction, which arose from the original incident with the Council Clerk. This shows information is being whitewashed from City Hall to Crawford County Now. Additionally, I see no call for corrections from any other correspondence from a city official, including information released by Council President Kurt Fankhauser to the press that has been less than truthful.
Amid the chaos Mr. Fankhauser continues to create, we're losing sight of the real issue. Miranda Wise is someone we should all aspire to emulate—graceful, diligent, and kind. Auditor Kali Lewis is among the most transparent and least confrontational officials in city government. She will spend countless hours helping residents understand our finances and addressing any questions they may have. Watching the Council President mistreat good public servants is disheartening and unacceptable.
We've now lost another excellent Clerk. And instead of accountability, we're facing another lawsuit—this one filed by Mr. Fankhauser over Ms. Wise's pay, in a situation of his own making—a mental gymnastics trick I have yet to understand the logic behind. The financial and operational costs are unknown, but it's clear: taxpayer dollars and city time should not be wasted on personal vendettas.
And ultimately, it doesn't matter who exerted force on the chair to make a loud clattering noise. What matters is how Ms. Wise felt, and what this incident revealed about the toxic workplace culture that drove her out. That culture includes verbal hostility, gender-based exclusion, and the Council President's refusal to perform even the most basic duties—such as posting public notices or maintaining the city's Documents on Demand portal.
Yet when there's credit to be taken, Mr. Fankhauser is quick to claim it, such as filming and posting videos on the Council's Facebook page that depict his opinion and weaponize the page for his benefit after stripping administrative access from all other members and the former Clerk. When it takes effort or offers no spotlight, he refuses to act. As a result, administrative oversight of legislative responsibilities is left unanswered, exposing the city to further legal risk and eroding public trust.
I believe in accountability—and that includes me. If I'm wrong, I will correct the record. Ms. Laird informed me that the footage shows that Mr. Fankhauser did not slam the chair, as initially stated. I'm human, and I make mistakes and I can misinterpret facts conveyed to me; I take this request for clarification seriously. I've done my best to address it here.
It's time to move forward. Bucyrus faces serious issues—from a growing budget shortfall to urgent public health hazards, such as the one at 428 E. Mansfield Street. Members of the voting council, along with the Auditor, Law Director, and administration, and I have been working diligently to secure funding and resolve these issues.
The political attacks, character assassinations, and endless distractions must stop. We are a government of neighbors—not enemies. When there's a problem, we must fix it and move on. Deflection, retaliation, and silence have only weakened our city government. Requests for accountability should never be punished, dismissed, or ignored. We all need to learn to call for accountability without hurling baseless accusations. I have my fair share of gaffes or times when I've misspoken, and I am humble enough to admit my mistakes. I hope others can as well.
To those frustrated with Council: speak up. I've heard your concerns—even those about my conduct—and I want to move past this. I welcome your input beyond social media. Please email us or attend the next Council meeting on Tuesday, July 29, at 7:00 p.m. to share your concerns and ideas.
If the Council President wishes to continue criticizing me, let it be on policy or official action or inaction, not on my character, ad homonym retorts, schoolyard taunts, insults, or attacks on my family. I work hard to focus on his official behavior, both as a public official and a city contractor, rather than on who he is as a person.
Unfortunately, he has not done the same.
Unless he can prove me wrong.
Respectfully,
Clarissa Scheffler-Slater, Bucyrus City Council At-Large
